by Debra Kristi
Sebastian knew it was wrong to feel the way he did, but he loved it when this happened. A slow, deliberate grin spread across his lips. “That’s my claim ticket, Lance.” The boy’s name lingered on his tongue, dragging out slow and deliberate, soaking up pleasure in the taunting.
A tarot card clung to the fabric of the boy’s shirt like a second skin—a dancing skeleton prancing across his chest. Sebastian watched blatant confusion and fear bubbled to the surface.
Deep valleys curved the flesh across his forehead. “Hey man. Do I know you? How do you know my name?” Lance’s voice wavered.
“Think you made it out unscathed? You might want to take a closer look.” Sebastian motioned to the wreckage across the road.
Lance flinched at Sebastian’s words. He whirled around, faced the ruin, and darted forward. Sebastian knew he rushed for proof, proof of the Reaper’s lies. There were always types like Lance. Never trusting. Always needing to see for themselves. There was no denying the moment. The quickened pulse, the bulging eyes, the sudden intake of breath—something Lance hadn’t discovered he no longer needed.
Crumpled behind the wheel in the driver’s seat slumped an exact duplicate of the teenager standing near Sebastian. Only the one in the car looked like a broken doll, staring into a void. He was nothing but an empty shell, left vacant by the confused, departed soul.
“But...I…Sophie…” Lance stammered.
“Yes.” The word dripped like castor oil from Sebastian’s lips as he stepped behind the addled soul. He dropped his fingers upon the boy’s shoulder in one quick tap before trailing them down his upper back.
Lance broke into a dance of shivers and shudders, then twitches. A mask of dread slipped in, contorting his face and replacing his once handsome features. A small cry escaped. He turned, glued his gaze on Sebastian, an overwhelming plea swimming in his eyes.
But it was already too late.
He was sinking, melting down through the ground. Pulled by long, dark, shadowy arms, reaching and grabbing and dragging him under.
Sebastian watched until the boy was no more, knowing his destination was hot and horrific. Excruciatingly torturous. Lance gone, Sebastian breathed deep. Relief blooming in the knowledge the worst was done. He crossed the road, circled the battered car, and approached the passenger side. There she waited, as if in limbo, completely unaware. He placed his hand upon the open window with the tender touch of a grief counselor. The trigger. Her eyes popped open and her head snapped up.
If you enjoyed following Kyra and Sebastian’s story through books one and two of the Age of the Hybrid Series, look for the epic conclusion in early 2016:
Plight of the Dragon: Age of the Hybrid, Book Three
A gift for you:
Dark Perceptions : A Mystic Carnival Collective Story
First and foremost, if you are reading this book, thank you! Your time is valuable and I can’t express how much it means to me that you choose to spend it reading my work. You are splendid, fantastic, and magical in my eyes.
For the team that helped bring this story to life―I am deeply indebted to each and every one of you. My heart is on fire with gratitude.
I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the writing community with their incredible support and continued education. Huge hug to Christine Ashworth for pushing me into our local RWA chapter. It truly propelled me forward and made this publication possible. Thanks to my WANA team, you know who you are. I tried to soak up and absorb a trillion things discussed within our group. You paved the way and I can only hope I have learned from your brilliance.
A huge thank you to my awesome editors, Tiffany Turpin Johnson of TJ Writeography, and Shelly Tegen and Holly Kammier of Acorn Editing, for your stellar recommendations and edits. Without you ladies this story wouldn’t be the same. Plus, you’re all so fun to work with!
To my beta readers and critique partners, where would I be without you? Leandra Savage, Kristy K. James, Tameri Etherton, and Lynne Freeman, thank you a hundred times over for all your incredible feedback. Diana Beebe, you are brilliant with the comma usage corrections. I don’t think I need to tell you how much I needed that. Hugs! I adore, love, and value each of you beyond words.
Adara Rosalie, you blew on the fire and set it ablaze! I am in awe the new life you’ve sparked for the series with the new cover designs. I can’t thank you enough.
To my MCC team, the hours of world building, character definitions, and idea swapping has been amazing. I love you guys!
The support and raw cheer from my extended family has been amazing. I am so grateful for all of you. Love you!
Thanks mom for your countless hours of reading and rereading my work. Your initial editing have not only helped me but taught me a lot. I may be slow, but I am getting better. Also, thanks to my sister for kick starting my writer’s voice. No story would have ever been completed if it weren’t for you, Kristi (Christy).
Last, but definitely not least, to my fantastically supportive husband and kids who have put up with so much since I set upon my writing career. My multiple writing trips away from the home, countless conventions and meetings, and endless hours sitting at the computer typing. I love you with all my heart! Big bear hugs to my husband, Scott, and two kids.
Backyard - The area where private trailers are gathered for living and storage.
Balidhug – The name by which Marcus is referred to when attacked at the club.
Big Eli - Big Eli refers to a Ferris Wheel by one of the ride’s most successful original manufacturers, the Eli Bridge Company.
Carnie (or Carny) – An individual who works at the carnival.
Cattle Rustling – The act of stealing customers from another show or joint. Stealing away their attention and paying consumerism.
Cut – The individual’s portion/percentage of the money.
Dragonet – Equivalent of a teenage dragon.
Dragonling – A baby dragon.
Kalrapura – The name of Kyra’s dragon.
Midway – The path through the carnival bordered on either side by games and venders
Moorigad – The blending of two dragon species. The traits of both parents clash within the host, fighting for control. A Moorigad has partial traits of both parents without full power of either.
Mystic’s Carnival – A mystical fair with a mind of its own that is a combination of carnival and circus. It exists outside of the human real.
Portal – A magical door between worlds and dimensions.
Prat Boy – Often runaways and kids too young to hold a legitimate job, prat boy is an ugly term referring to a paid hand that does the odd jobs no one else wants to do.
Rajũn – The first dragon and great water deity.
Serpicose – The sweet smell a male dragon excretes to attract a mate. Smoldering moss and warm wild berries.
The Talker - A skilled tongue individual who delivers the spiel for an attraction in order to build the tip.
The Moorigad Dragon
Age of the Hybrid Book One
Copyright © 2014 by Debra Kristi
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Ghost Girl Publishing, LLC.
P.O. Box 940583, Simi Valley, CA 93094-0583
www.GhostGirlPublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover design artwork by Adara Rosalie
Book layout by Book Cover Corner
ISBN: 978-1-942191-00-1
Kristi, Debra
The Moorigad Dragon / Debra Kristi. – 2nd ed.
Fantasy―Fiction. Paranormal―Fiction. Short Stories―Fiction
Visit the author: http://www.debrakristi.com/
f the Hybrid Book 1)